Cookies

We use cookies to improve your experience of using our website. Please let us know if you agree to the use of these cookies.

No, take me to settings
The Church of Scotland
  • Skip to content
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Privacy centre

Welcome to The Church of Scotland

  • Home
  • About us
  • Worship
  • Connect
  • Serve
  • News and events
  • Resources

You are here:

  • Home
  • Worship>
  • Music for worship

Music for worship

Music is a powerful form of worship in the Church of Scotland and hymns are a key part of most church services.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.

Psalm 28:7

Each congregation praises the Lord through music in their own unique way. Some congregations have organists, others have choirs and praise bands, and some use recorded music during services.

One thing that is universal for all Church of Scotland congregations is the use of the Church Hymnary Fourth Edition. Explore the hymnary to listen to excerpts and find playlists of music for different occasions.

Concerned about music copyright laws? Read our FAQs on how copyright might affect the music your congregation uses.

Looking to employ a church organist? Our law department provides employment contract templates for organists.

Church Hymnary Fourth Edition (CH4)

Church Hymnary Fourth Edition

This revision of the Church Hymnary consists of worship songs and material from all around the world, complementing the established hymns and tunes familiar to congregations.

You can buy a variety of CH4 editions from St Andrew Press: Full music, melody, words only, and large print.

The electronic edition includes words which congregations can use for orders of service and powerpoint projections.

A braille edition can be ordered through the Church by email.

Looking for music resources for children and young people?

Visit our Children and Young People section for fresh and exciting resources to use during worship. Find links to music tutorials, Christian streaming sites, training workshops, and downloadable music.

Music in the Church of Scotland

The Psalm Project

The Dutch worship band The Psalm Project has breathed new life into the many well-known melodies of the Genevan Psalter, creating contemporary compositions that seek to keep the Psalms alive and relevant for now and for future generations.

Dutch pianist and composer Eelco Vos founded The Psalm Project hoping to make ancient biblical psalms accessible to today's worshipers.

Psalm Project perform Psalm 62
Music arrangement tutorial for Psalm 62
Psalm Project perform Psalm 134
Psalm Project perform Psalm 22

Heart and Soul Swing Band

Where rhythm and blues meets the Good News.

The Heart and Soul Swing Band is a dozen or so friends across east and west central Scotland who enjoy making big band music in church.

The band's repertoire consists of traditional gospel songs and spirituals, favourite old hymns and a range of original numbers, all played in the big band style.

Here is an instructional video featuring the Heart and Soul Swing Band led by Richard Michael, warming up, getting in the groove and performing the song Word of Life.

The song was written by Robin Hill and dedicated to the memory of the Rev Professor Duncan Forrester.

In this section

  • Weekly Worship
  • Kirk services online
  • Our books for worship
  • Prayer
  • Worship of the Week
  • The God who sees me: Worship resources for Sanctuary Sunday
  • Music for worship
    • Music copyright and the Church
    • Church organists
  • Festivals and dates
  • Hymnary
  • Gaelic worship guide
  • Worship in Scots
  • Conversations in Worship
  • Ritual and remembrance
  • The Listening Project
  • Songs to Support Prayer for Ukraine
  • Advent 2023
  • Service of Thanksgiving for Charles III and Queen Camilla at St Giles’

General

  • Vacancies and volunteering
  • Properties for sale
  • Historical records
  • Life events

Inside the Church

  • Forums, committees and departments
  • General Assembly
  • Safeguarding Service
  • National Stewardship Programme

Get in touch

  • Our offices
  • Departmental contacts
  • Media enquiries
  • Complaints

Contact Information

The Church of Scotland
121 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4YN
Tel: 0131 225 5722

Contact us

Copyright, sitemap and technical information

  • Scottish Charity Number SC011353
  • Copyright © The Church Of Scotland, 2023. All Rights Reserved
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • News feed (RSS)
  • Linkedin